GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
DEPARTMENT ON DISABILITY SERVICES
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this procedure is twofold. First, this procedure sets forth the steps to be taken
for persons who are determined eligible for vocational rehabilitation (“VR”) services and
who express an interest in pursuing a self-employment outcome. Second, this procedure
ensures that the Department on Disability Services, Rehabilitation Services Administration
(“DCRSA” or “Agency”) provides services leading to successful self-employment outcomes
for everyone the Agency serves with a vocational goal of self-employment.
II. APPLICABILITY
This procedure s h a l l apply to everyone served by DCRSA with a goal of self-
employment in an Individualized Plan for Employment (“IPE”); DCRSA staff; and any
contractors, providers, or vendors authorized to assess, serve, and/or assist people
who the Agency serves. This procedure shall apply to people served by DCRSA
requesting the Agency’s assistance with maintaining an existing business they own,
those wishing to begin or expand their own business, and those wishing to acquire an
existing business owned by another person or entity.
III. PROCEDURES
A. Preliminary Assessment for Self-Employment
1. An eligible person who expressed interest to pursue self-employment shall be
scheduled to meet with the assigned VR Specialist.
PROCEDURE
Subject: Self-Employment Procedure Procedure No.: 2015-RSA-SELF-
EMP–PR001
Responsible Program or Office:
Rehabilitation Services Administration
Effective Date: June 1, 2015
Number of Pages: 13
Cross References, Related Policies and Procedures, and Related Documents:
Financial Participation Policy and Procedure (to be developed); Section IV
(Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) Services), Section V (Economic
Needs/Comparable Benefits), and Section XII (Contributions), Self-employment Policy
(2015) and Section XIV (Due Process) of the DCRSA Policy Manual
Self-Employment Procedure
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2. The VR Specialist shall provide an overview of the process and requirements
for self-employment and explore the expressed interest of the person during the
initial meeting.
3. The VR Specialist shall obtain information from the person regarding particular
business ventures being considered, previous business experience, related skills,
support network, resources and other relevant factors.
4. The VR Specialist and the person, together with a support person when
necessary, shall discuss characteristics needed for successful small business
operation in terms of the strengths, resources, concerns, abilities, capabilities
and interests of the person. These include such traits as having:
a. Well-developed interpersonal skills in order to develop and maintain a
customer base, interact with the public, and work with employees,
suppliers, and others.
b. Initiative.
c. Flexibility and problem-solving skills.
d. Ability to prioritize and focus.
e. Ability to accept risks inherent in self-employment.
5. The VR Specialist and the person (with the support person when necessary)
shall discuss the person’s financial goals in order to define what would
constitute a successful outcome. Such issues as termination of government
benefits, supplementing family income, and earning sufficient funds to maintain
competitive employment standards should be considered.
6. Persons interested in self-employment shall be informed that the DCRSA shall
not provide major financial support for business ventures from the outset. Only
limited funding toward specific goods and/or services required according to an
approved business plan and IPE will be considered. Such funding will typically
not exceed $5,000 and shall not be provided in the form of cash
7. The VR Specialist shall conduct a cursory evaluation of the eligible person’s
potential for success as an entrepreneur utilizing Entrepreneur’s Inventory.
(Attachment B)
8. The VR Specialist shall provide feedback about the results of the
Entrepreneur’s Inventory test and a copy of the results shall be filed in the case
record of services.
9. The VR Specialist shall obtain information from providers (e.g., psychologists,
physicians, vocational evaluators, counselors) currently or recently treating or
evaluating the person in terms of viability of self-employment for the person
considering the characteristics required for success (see paragraph 4 above) as
appropriate. Referral for an assessment of feasibility of self-employment should
be considered on an individual basis and include questions for the provider
about specific traits required for self-employment.
10. If the person is interested in starting a business to provide a service and does not
already have training or skills in this industry, strong consideration should be
given to assessment of the person’s potential to work in this field, to be
followed, as appropriate, by skills training and at least two years of work
experience before consideration of self-employment would be advised.
11. The VR Specialist shall then provide next steps assignment to the person:
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a. The person shall conduct initial research about his/her proposed
business idea and complete a Feasibility Study (Attachment C).
b. The person shall review his/her finances and complete a Monthly
Personal and Living Expenses Worksheet (Attachment D)
12. The VR Specialist shall provide the person with small business resources to
review as part of the next steps:
a. Sample Business Plan (Attachment E)
b. Business Plan Format (Attachment F)
c. Small Business Toolkit from the Washington Area Community
Investment Fund (WACIF) – when available
13. The VR Specialist shall meet with the person when the latter has completed the
assigned tasks.
14. The VR Specialist shall review the Feasibility Study submitted by the person
utilizing a feasibility checklist (Attachment G).
15. The VR Specialist shall inform the person in writing using the decision letter
template with appeal rights, if based on the evaluation of personal traits and/or
business feasibility, it is determined that a goal in self-employment is not
feasible and/ or realistic.
PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT : AT A GLANCE
VR SPECIALIST RESPONSIBILITIES RESPONSIBILITIES OF A PERSON
INTERESTED IN SELF-EMPLOYMENT
Provide overview of self-employment
process and requirements – clearly
communicating how the Agency will
help with training, developing a business
plan and funding the business;
Explore business interest and financial
goal with the person interested in self-
employment;
Conduct preliminary assessment
utilizing Entrepreneur’s Inventory;
Provide small business resources to the
person and next steps;
Assess the potential of the person to
include personal feasibility (work
history and determination, financial
track record, disability related issues and
self-employment, training needs) and
business feasibility (concept feasibility,
market feasibility, financial feasibility,
person’s ability to handle stress and
difficult work demands, family and
community support, time management,
communication skills and problem
solving skills).
Decide what business to pursue;
Comply with the requirements of the
DCRSA self-employment program to
include undergoing evaluation and
assessments, as needed;
Review small business resources provided
by the VR specialist;
Conduct a feasibility study, with technical
assistance, if needed;
Submit required documentation in a timely
fashion to include Monthly Personal and
Living Expenses worksheet.
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Follow-up with the person to make sure
that they are progressing through the
requirements.
Determine if self-employment is a
feasible goal or not for the person
interested in pursuing it and provide
counseling and guidance as appropriate.
Required Documents
Entrepreneur’s Inventory
Self-employment Feasibility Checklist
Required Documents
Feasibility Study
Personal Finance Worksheet
Useful Tool
Business Plan Format
B. Preparation for Entrepreneurship – IPE Development
1. The VR Specialist shall conduct a comprehensive assessment to ensure that the
expressed goal in self-employment is consistent with the person’s interests,
aptitude, abilities, strength and informed choice.
2. The VR Specialist shall identify developmental and training needs based on the
initial feasibility checklist.
3. The VR Specialist shall discuss available local trainings with the person who
will choose a preferred provider of required training consistent with informed
choice. The VR Specialist shall assist the person in identifying training that will
be appropriate to his or her cognitive ability and/ or responsive to the person’s
needs (i.e. trainings that are accessible to people with intellectual disabilities,
autism or learning disabilities).
The following table lists some of the local resources available as of the effective
date of this procedure. The resources include, but are not limited to:
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED TRAINING
COMMUNITY-BASED RESOURCES
Provider Trainings/ Service Website
Small Business Resource
Center (DCRA/ DC
Small and Local
Business Development)
1. Regulatory Process: How
to Open a Small Business
2. Smart Money Workshop:
Financial Management and
Credit Reporting for Small
Business
3. Smart Money Workshop:
Organizational Types and
Tax Planning and
Reporting
4. A Comprehensive Guide
for Small Business
Planning.
http://dcbiz.ecenterdirect.
com/Conferences.action
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5. Person business counseling
sessions:
- Office of Tax and
Revenue
- Permit Operations
- Business Licensing
Instruction
- Basic Steps to
Obtaining a Business
License
- DC Women’s Business
Center
DC Small Business
Development Center
1. Business Planning Process
2. Starting a Business: A
Legal Perspective
https://dcsbdc.org/events.
aspx
Washington Area
Community Investment
Fund
1. Enterprise DC (year-long
training)
2. Seminars and Workshops
- Business Management and
Best Practices: HR and
Payroll
- DC Health Link Forum:
HCA and your company
3. Specialized Technical
Assistance
http://wacif.org/
DC SCORE 1. Local Workshops
- How to Start a Business
- Small Business Loans
2. Online training
3. Mentoring
http://washingtondc.score
.org/
DC Department of Small
and Local Business
Development
Small Business University http://dslbd.dc.gov/servic
e/small-business-
university
MATRICULATED TRAINING
Provider Trainings/ Service Website
University of the District
of Columbia
1 year certificate in
Entrepreneurship
http://www.udc.edu/scho
ol_business_and_public_
admin/cert_entrepreneurs
hip
FINANCE-RELATED, FINANCIAL LITERACY AND WELLNESS
Provider Trainings/ Service Website
National Disability
Institute (NDI)
Financial Literacy/
Education
Work Incentives and
http://www.realeconomic
impact.org/NDI-Online-
Classroom.aspx
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Benefits Planning
Capital Area Asset
Builders (CAAB)
Consumer education
programs, research and
advocacy
Financial Education
Matched Savings Program
http://www.caab.org/en/p
rograms/matched-
savings-programs
4. The person may be referred to a vendor for technical assistance to develop and
finalize a business plan that meets governing DCRSA standards, laws, policies
and regulations. This shall be included as part of the IPE if required.
5. The VR Specialist shall conduct an economic needs assessment to determine
the person’s financial participation, if any, before IPE development. The
person’s contribution, if one is required, can be applied toward the startup costs
or to the cost of training or business consultation.
6. The IPE shall be developed collaboratively between the person and the VR
Specialist to include the required training and supports. It should be noted in the
plan that this person intends to pursue self-employment.
7. The plan type shall be developed as either Vocational Rehabilitation or
Supported Employment (if necessary) because self-employment as a goal is not
approved yet at this point. The IPE employment goal shall be the specific
occupation or occupational grouping based on the type of business the person
wishes to start.
8. The VR Specialist shall continue to identify and coordinate other rehabilitation
services which may be required by the person throughout the time required for
exploring self-employment as an option, developing and implementing a
business plan.
9. The person shall pursue and complete the training as planned and submit a
business plan as a deliverable.
10. Persons may decide during or after required courses that they wish to pursue
another type of employment outcome. The VR Specialist shall meet with the
person if this occurs, consider other vocational options, and amend the IPE, as
appropriate.
PREPARATION FOR ENTREPRENUERSHIP :AT A GLANCE
VR SPECIALIST RESPONSIBILITIES RESPONSIBILITIES OF A PERSON
INTERESTED IN SELF-EMPLOYMENT
Conduct a Comprehensive Assessment;
Identify developmental and training
needs required by the person;
Assist the person in exercising informed
choice in the selection of training and
training provider;
Determine person’s financial
Pursue training based on informed choice
and recommendation by DCRSA;
Consider counseling from experts or
consultants if recommended by DCRSA;
Contribute time, effort and financial
resources as agreed upon in planning with
the VR Specialist;
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contribution based on economic needs
assessment;
Assist the person in developing the IPE;
Monitor the person’s progress while in
training and address training issues as
appropriate;
Provide information necessary to assist
the person with developing a business
plan; and
Provide continuous counseling and
guidance.
Pursue and complete training;
Develop, complete and submit a Business
Plan, with technical assistance if needed;
or
Identify another employment outcome
upon deciding that self-employment is not
an option s/he would like to pursue.
Required Documentation
Comprehensive Assessment
Required Forms
Financial Participation
IPE: Plan Type – Vocational
Rehabilitation or Supported
Employment
VR Authorization
Required Documents
Financial Contribution documents
C. Business Plan Evaluation and Application for Funding
1. The completed business plan shall be submitted to the VR Specialist for
sufficiency review.
2. The VR Specialist shall review the business plan utilizing the Business Plan
Checklist (Attachment H) to be sure all of the required elements are included.
The VR Specialist shall also document and identify the needs and services that
shall be incorporated in the IPE for self-employment.
3. A self-employment packet shall be prepared for review and plan approval and
shall include:
a. Self-employment Review and Approval Form (Attachment I)
b. Business Plan
c. Completed Business Plan Checklist
4. The business plan determined sufficient for review and plan approval shall then
be recommended for approval by the VR Specialist’s supervisor before it is
forwarded to the DDS RSA Deputy Director for plan approval.
5. The business plan shall be reviewed and approved or disapproved by the DDS
RSA Deputy Director.
a. If disapproved—the VR Specialist shall inform the person of his or her
due process rights to appeal in writing using the Decision letter template
with Appeal Rights from System 7. Counseling and guidance shall be
offered to explore other goals and options available to the person.
b. If the business plan is approved, the VR Specialist shall assist the person
to begin implementing the steps identified in the business plan,
including but not limited to securing funding from non-VR sources.
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6. The person approved for a self-employment goal shall apply for funding and
secure the business start-up funds as well as obtain the necessary permits,
licenses and insurance.
BUSINESS PLAN EVALUATION AND APPROVAL :AT A GLANCE
VR SPECIALIST RESPONSIBILITIES RESPONSIBILITIES OF A PERSON
INTERESTED IN SELF-EMPLOYMENT
Review the business plan for sufficiency
utilizing the Business Plan Checklist;
Coordinate with the person if there are
changes or additional information
requiring revision of the business plan;
Identify services, goods and supports
that will be provided and included in the
IPE;
Prepare a self-employment packet once
the business plan has been determined
sufficient for approval review;
Submit self-employment packet to Unit
Supervisor for approval recommendation
and afterwards to DCRSA Deputy
Director for final approval.
Revise business plan accordingly when
prompted by the VR Specialist;
Upon Plan Approval:
Obtain the necessary permits, licenses
and insurance;
Apply for and secure funding for business
start-up.
If Plan is not approved:
Identify another goal or employment
outcome;
Explore options with VR Specialist
Required Documents
Business Plan Checklist
Self-employment approval form
Required Documents
Business Plan
D. Initiating Business, Monitoring and Case Closure
1. The VR Specialist shall then ensure that the previously identified required
services and supports for self-employment - such as purchasing initial stocks
and incurring other startup costs in accordance with governing laws,
regulations, and policies including but not limited to those on maximum
allowable rates and reimbursement of expenses - are amended in the IPE which
is then signed by both the VR Specialist, the person and the VR Supervisor. The
plan type will indicate the IPE as self-employment at this time.
2. The goods and services as stipulated in the self-employment IPE shall be
provided to the person to enable him/her to start the business or enterprise.
3. The case shall be moved to Status 22 once the business is initiated. The
business is considered to have been established when the person is ready to
serve customers or render services and DCRSA has provided the services
designated in the IPE.
4. The VR Specialist shall monitor the person’s progress in self-employment by
reviewing monthly report of income and expenses and document this in case
notes.
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5. The VR Specialist shall mail a Proposed Rehabilitation Closure letter to the
self-employed person on the 60th
day of monitoring or at least 30 days before
the expected rehabilitation closure date.
6. The person shall submit a monthly report of income and expenses from the
business during the 90 days of monitoring the and case may be closed when the
person is considered to be receiving competitive compensation if the average
income is comparable to that of persons without disabilities in similar
occupations or performing similar tasks who possess the same level of training,
experience and skills.
a. The VR Specialist shall calculate the average income from the duration of
time the business was monitored.
b. The VR Specialist shall look up the prevailing wages of a related occupation
of the business in the careerinfonet.org website:
http://www.careerinfonet.org/Occupations/select_occupation.aspx?next=occ
_rep&level=&optstatus=&id=1&nodeid=2&soccode=&stfips=&jobfam=&
menuMode
c. The VR Specialist shall enter the occupational field of the business. For
example, a baker for a bakeshop owner.
Figure 1: Screenshot of the website with the keyword search function
d. Once the related occupation of the business field has been selected, the VR
Specialist then chooses the District of Columbia from the drop down field,
to filter bakers in the district.
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Figure 2: Screenshot of website showing State selection
e. The VR specialist then compares the average hourly business income to the
lowest hourly wage of the related occupation in the District of Columbia as
published in the website:
Figure 3: Screenshot of hourly and yearly earnings in the US and DC
f. Once it is determined that the business income is comparable to the entry-
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level hourly wage of the related occupation, the VR Specialist shall proceed
to close the case by completing the VR Case and Closure Information Form
in System 7.
g. A Notification of Rehabilitation Closure shall be mailed to the person and a
copy shall be retained in the case record.
INITIATING BUSINESS TO CLOSURE :AT A GLANCE
VR SPECIALIST RESPONSIBILITIES RESPONSIBILITIES OF A PERSON
INTERESTED IN SELF-EMPLOYMENT
Assist the person in amending the IPE to
include the goods, services and supports
that were previously identified;
Coordinate provision of goods, services and
supports as stipulated in the self-
employment IPE;
Monitor the person’s business;
Follow-up monthly submission of income
and expenses report for at least 90 days;
Determine when to close the case
successfully.
Hire employees, locate suppliers, start the
business and develop the customer base;
Submit monthly report of income and
expenses to the VR Specialist;
Maintain and grow the business beyond
case closure.
Required Forms and Letter
IPE Amendment: Plan type – self-
employment
VR Authorization
VR Case and Closure Information
Proposed Rehabilitation Closure Letter
Rehabilitation Closure Letter
Required documents
Monthly report of business income and
expenses
Attachments:
A. Process Map – Self-Employment Procedure
B. Assessment: Entrepreneur’s Inventory
C. Feasibility Study
D. Monthly Personal and Living Expenses Worksheet
E. Sample Business Plan
F. Business Plan Format
G. Feasibility Checklist
H. Business Plan Checklist
I. Self-employment Review and Approval Form